A sensor assembly includes a housing including a chamber; a first sensor disposed in the chamber and including a first sensor window facing outward from the chamber; a second sensor outside and fixed relative to the chamber, the second sensor including a second sensor window; a blower having a blower outlet in the chamber and having a blower inlet; and a flexible hose extending from a first end positioned to receive ambient air to a second end positioned to direct air into the blower inlet. The housing includes a first outlet from the chamber to the exterior environment, and a second outlet from the chamber to the exterior environment. The first outlet is positioned to direct air across the first sensor window, and the second outlet is positioned to direct air across the second sensor window.
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2. The sensor assembly of claim 1, further comprising a bracket fixed to the chamber inside the chamber, wherein the bracket holds the first sensor.
3. The sensor assembly of claim 2, further comprising a liquid nozzle held by the bracket and aimed at the first sensor window.
A sensor assembly for monitoring environmental conditions in harsh environments, such as industrial or outdoor settings, includes a housing with a first sensor window and a bracket attached to the housing. The bracket supports a liquid nozzle aimed at the first sensor window. The nozzle is configured to direct a cleaning fluid or liquid toward the window to remove contaminants, such as dust, debris, or condensation, that may obstruct the sensor's field of view. This ensures accurate and reliable sensor readings by maintaining optical clarity. The assembly may also include a second sensor window and a second liquid nozzle, where the nozzles are independently controlled to clean their respective windows. The bracket may be adjustable to allow precise alignment of the nozzles with the windows, ensuring effective cleaning without damaging the sensor components. The system may further include a control mechanism to automate the cleaning process, triggering the nozzles at scheduled intervals or in response to detected contamination levels. This design improves sensor longevity and performance in environments where manual cleaning is impractical or unsafe.
4. The sensor assembly of claim 2, further comprising a liquid nozzle held by the bracket and aimed at the second sensor window.
5. The sensor assembly of claim 2, wherein the housing includes a front wall, the first sensor window is aimed through the front wall, and the first outlet is formed of the front wall and the bracket.
6. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a front wall partially forming the chamber, the first sensor window is aimed through the front wall, and the first outlet is disposed on the front wall.
7. The sensor assembly of claim 1, further comprising a third sensor outside and fixed relative to the chamber, the third sensor including a third sensor window, wherein the second sensor window defines a second plane, and the third sensor window defines a third plane different than the first plane.
8. The sensor assembly of claim 7, wherein the housing includes a third outlet from the chamber to the exterior environment, and the third outlet is positioned to direct air across the third sensor window.
9. The sensor assembly of claim 8, wherein the third outlet is slot-shaped.
10. The sensor assembly of claim 7, wherein an angle defined by the second plane and the third plane is obtuse.
A sensor assembly is designed to improve detection accuracy in industrial or environmental monitoring applications by optimizing the spatial arrangement of its components. The assembly includes a housing with multiple planar surfaces, where a sensor is mounted on a first plane, and additional structural elements are positioned on a second and third plane. The second and third planes form an obtuse angle, enhancing the sensor's field of view or structural stability. This angular configuration may reduce interference from external factors, improve signal reception, or facilitate integration with other systems. The assembly may also include alignment features to ensure precise positioning of the sensor relative to the housing. The obtuse angle between the second and third planes allows for flexible mounting options, accommodating various installation environments while maintaining optimal sensor performance. This design addresses challenges in sensor deployment, such as limited space or obstructions, by providing a compact yet effective configuration. The assembly is particularly useful in applications requiring high-precision measurements, such as industrial automation, environmental monitoring, or medical diagnostics.
11. The sensor assembly of claim 7, wherein the housing includes a front wall, the first sensor window is aimed through the front wall, the second sensor window is aimed through the front wall, and the third sensor window is aimed through the front wall.
12. The sensor assembly of claim 1, further comprising a body panel of a vehicle to which the housing is mounted, wherein the housing includes a front wall on an opposite side of the housing from the body panel, and the first sensor window is aimed through the front wall.
This invention relates to a sensor assembly for vehicles, specifically addressing the challenge of integrating sensors into vehicle body panels while maintaining structural integrity and sensor performance. The assembly includes a housing mounted to a vehicle body panel, with the housing containing at least one sensor and a first sensor window. The housing is designed to be securely attached to the body panel, ensuring proper alignment and protection of the sensor components. The housing features a front wall opposite the body panel, through which the first sensor window is directed. This configuration allows the sensor to capture data from the external environment while being shielded by the housing structure. The assembly may also include additional sensors and windows, depending on the application, such as radar, lidar, or camera sensors used in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) or autonomous vehicles. The design ensures that the sensor remains functional and protected from environmental factors while being seamlessly integrated into the vehicle's body panel. This approach improves sensor reliability and vehicle aesthetics by avoiding bulky external mounts.
13. The sensor assembly of claim 12, wherein the first end of the flexible hose is positioned to receive ambient air from outside the body panel.
A sensor assembly is designed for monitoring environmental conditions, particularly for vehicles or other systems where air quality or external conditions need to be assessed. The assembly includes a flexible hose with a first end positioned to receive ambient air from outside a body panel, such as a vehicle's exterior. This allows the sensor to sample air from the surrounding environment without being obstructed by the panel. The hose may be connected to a sensor module that processes the incoming air to detect parameters like temperature, humidity, or pollutant levels. The flexible nature of the hose ensures adaptability to different installation configurations while maintaining a secure connection to the sensor module. This design improves accuracy by ensuring direct exposure to ambient conditions, which is critical for applications like climate control, emissions monitoring, or safety systems. The assembly may also include sealing mechanisms to prevent contamination or moisture ingress, enhancing reliability in harsh environments. The sensor module may further integrate data processing capabilities to provide real-time feedback or trigger automated responses based on detected conditions. This invention addresses the need for precise and reliable environmental monitoring in dynamic settings where external air sampling is essential.
14. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the first outlet is slot-shaped.
15. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the second outlet is slot-shaped.
A sensor assembly is designed for monitoring fluid flow in a system, particularly in applications where precise measurement of fluid properties is critical. The assembly includes a housing with an inlet and at least two outlets, where the second outlet is slot-shaped. The slot-shaped outlet allows for controlled fluid discharge, ensuring consistent flow characteristics and reducing turbulence. This design improves measurement accuracy by minimizing disturbances in the fluid stream, which is essential for reliable sensor readings. The housing may also include additional features, such as a flow path that directs fluid from the inlet to the outlets, ensuring efficient and uniform distribution. The slot-shaped outlet can be positioned to optimize fluid dynamics, further enhancing sensor performance. This configuration is particularly useful in industrial, medical, or environmental monitoring systems where precise fluid analysis is required. The sensor assembly may also incorporate other components, such as pressure or temperature sensors, to provide comprehensive fluid monitoring. The slot-shaped outlet design ensures that the sensor assembly maintains high accuracy and reliability in various operating conditions.
16. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is a camera.
A sensor assembly is designed for monitoring environmental conditions, particularly in industrial or hazardous environments where precise and reliable data collection is critical. The assembly includes at least two sensors, each configured to detect different environmental parameters such as temperature, pressure, humidity, or gas concentration. The first sensor is a camera, which captures visual data of the surrounding environment, enabling real-time monitoring of physical conditions, equipment status, or potential hazards. The second sensor may be a temperature sensor, pressure sensor, or another type of sensor that provides complementary data to the camera. The assembly integrates these sensors into a single unit, ensuring synchronized data collection and reducing the need for multiple separate devices. This integration improves efficiency, reduces installation complexity, and enhances data accuracy by correlating visual and non-visual measurements. The camera may include features such as high-resolution imaging, low-light capability, or thermal imaging to enhance monitoring in various conditions. The assembly may also include processing circuitry to analyze the collected data, detect anomalies, or trigger alerts based on predefined thresholds. This system is particularly useful in industrial settings, where continuous monitoring of environmental factors is essential for safety and operational efficiency.
17. The sensor assembly of claim 1, wherein the second sensor is a LIDAR sensor.
A sensor assembly is designed for environmental monitoring, particularly for detecting and measuring atmospheric conditions such as air quality, weather patterns, or obstacle detection. The assembly includes a first sensor and a second sensor, where the second sensor is specifically a LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor. LIDAR sensors emit laser pulses and measure the time it takes for the light to reflect back, enabling precise distance and velocity measurements. This configuration allows the assembly to capture detailed spatial and temporal data about the environment, such as particle concentration, wind speed, or object proximity. The LIDAR sensor enhances the system's ability to perform long-range, high-resolution measurements, making it suitable for applications like autonomous vehicle navigation, industrial safety monitoring, or meteorological studies. The assembly may also include additional components like signal processing units or data transmission modules to analyze and relay the collected data. The use of LIDAR improves accuracy and reliability in dynamic environments where traditional sensors may struggle.
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October 1, 2019
October 25, 2022
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